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Stewart Warner Tachometers

It's my understanding that Stewart Warner supplied the instumentation to Studebaker for modes so equipped with special instruments, I think beginning with the 1955 President Speedster. If I'm not mistaken, on the Speedster it was an 8,000 RPM tach without a redline. Were any of the so equipped models provided with other than 8,000 RPM , unredlined units? Was there any other provider? Thanks

I don't know about a joke but I own a Speedster and have to wonder if anyone ever attained the very optomistic 160MPH speed on the SW speedometer? I do know that on bias-ply tires with drum brakes I wouldnt want to be aboard for a top speed run. I do wonder what the RPMs would be at 160 MPH??

Makes you think, eh

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain !

It's my understanding that Stewart Warner supplied the instumentation to Studebaker for modes so equipped with special instruments, I think beginning with the 1955 President Speedster. If I'm not mistaken, on the Speedster it was an 8,000 RPM tach without a redline. Were any of the so equipped models provided with other than 8,000 RPM , unredlined units? Was there any other provider? Thanks

[[[11.7.11 Updated and re-posted to include "new" information just uncovered]]]

Just when you thought you had Studebaker Corp. all figured out, you open another door and find more "skeletons"!!!

So Dan, here is the latest I can offer:

Studebaker installed Tachs (p/n 536833) in "Speedsters" during production. Those Tachs were supplied by Stewart-Warner Corp., had all WHITE face markings, had fields wound for 6V. and an RPM indicator range of 0-80(00).

Studebaker installed Tachs (p/n 1539881) in '56 thru '58 Studebaker cars, including Packard Hawk. These Tachs were also supplied by Stewart-Warner Corp., had all WHITE face markings, had fields wound for 12V., had an RPM indicator range of 0-60(00) and had a DIFFERENT style of lettering/numbering.

Now for those skeletons…

On occasion Studebaker Parts Dept. (SASCO) ran short of the original "Speedster" Tachs, they would simply send Stewart-Warner some of the newer (p/n 1539881) Tachs and have them re-wound for 6V. Then they would bring them back in and sell them as "Speedster" Tachs, p/n 536833. No problem you say!

BUT …on these "re-worked" Tachs all the lettering/numbering on the FACE remained the same as did the RPM range. So some "Speedster" Tachs sold by Studebaker Parts Dept. (SASCO) as p/n 536883, will have DIFFERENT style lettering/numbering and have a RPM indicator range of 0-60(00) !!!

IF …you need to substantiate why your Tach may be "different," PM me with your email address and I’ll try to send you a copy of Studebaker’s internal correspondence authorizing the reworked & sale of those half-breed Tachs.

Welcome, thank you very much for a very comprehensive answer. I was fairly certain original "Speedster" tachs were 8,000 RPM units. I'm currently trying to figure out how optional tachs were nounted in cars normally without the instumentation package. I am still looking for the answer to the redlin issue. I'm of the opinion that none of the tachs had redlines. You agree?
Thanks,
CarCrossword Dan

Speedster Tach

I bought my first Speedster back in 1960. I don't believe that it had a redline. I remember a trip to Nevada a long time ago I got it up to 107 mph on a nice straight flat stretch of road. I don't think you could get it over 5,000 rpm.